Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery

Minimally invasive surgery — both laparoscopic and robotically assisted — is an approach to surgery that enables surgeons to operate without having to make large incisions. Doctors are able to accomplish the same goals as they would with traditional open surgery while patients experience less pain and blood loss, with fewer complications and a faster recovery.

With minimally invasive surgery, or MIS, patients typically spend less time in the hospital. Many go home the same day of their surgery. Plus, for many elderly patients or those with chronic medical conditions, this kind of surgery decreases their risk of complications. MIS can also be used as a diagnostic tool to discover the cause of abdominal pain.

At LifeBridge Health, our surgeons perform several procedures using MIS methods. We treat the following conditions, among others:

Orthopedic conditions relating to muscles and bones, including hand surgery

Thoracic conditions relating to the lungs and chest

Vascular conditions relating to arteries and veins

Robotic Surgery

Both Sinai and Northwest hospitals offer patients the da Vinci® Surgical System, an advanced robotic, minimally invasive surgery system. The da Vinci system increases the number of physicians able to offer MIS procedures to their patients.

Watch our video to learn more about minimally invasive surgery and the da Vinci system.

Our Physicians

One of the leaders of minimally invasive surgery at LifeBridge Health is Christina Li, M.D., a pioneer of laparoscopic surgery in the United States and a leading minimally invasive surgeon. She has conducted extensive research and written numerous articles on MIS techniques.

Fellowship Program

Dr. Celine Richardson is the director of the Laparoscopic Fellowship Program at LifeBridge Health. The program enables residents and experienced surgeons unfamiliar with laparoscopic techniques, to work side-by-side with Dr. Richardson to gain exposure and experience in the field of minimally invasive surgery. Mid-career gynecologists who want to gain training in gynecologic MIS should take advantage of Northwest's STAT Program, led by David Zisow, M.D.

For more information about minimally invasive surgery at LifeBridge Health, please call 410-601-WELL.